tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post8700884895857173845..comments2024-03-17T02:30:04.788-06:00Comments on Shallee McArthur: Banned Books Week Review: The Handmaid's TaleShalleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-4182127979167356742010-10-01T14:55:38.880-06:002010-10-01T14:55:38.880-06:00I've heard of banned books before but I didn&#...I've heard of banned books before but I didn't realise how ridiculous it was! <br /><br />I remember a few years ago, a colleague saw a book on my desk (Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield) then gasped and said to me, 'Len! Why are you reading that book? Do you know that that book is evil?' So I asked her, 'Why do you say that? Have you read it?' She said 'No.' I don't understand why people judge a book by just looking at it or because someone said it should not be read. I guess I'm one of those people who go and get it when I'm told not to.<br /><br />Thanks for this blogpost, Shallee...it's a great post! :)Len Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13394563639136301725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-18955206383732656112010-10-01T04:26:34.198-06:002010-10-01T04:26:34.198-06:00You are so right that parents need to make a decis...You are so right that parents need to make a decision on what's appropriate for their children. But to many people, it's easier to think others are doing that for them.<br /><br />I participated in Tahereh's review of banned books too:<br />http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com/2010/09/speak-up.htmlTheresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-23668517329690315032010-09-30T19:14:57.490-06:002010-09-30T19:14:57.490-06:00I totally agree with this. It's a personal cho...I totally agree with this. It's a personal choice, and parents have the right to oversee what their children read (altho I read whatever I wanted regardless of what my mom said LOL) but don't ban the books!!! <br /><br />Great post! (I'm visiting from Lynda's blog btw, new follower, enjoy your blog!)<br /><br />KarenGKaren Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-52189668940323602982010-09-30T19:13:00.968-06:002010-09-30T19:13:00.968-06:00I read The Giver each year with my 8th graders, an...I read The Giver each year with my 8th graders, and it never fails to give us controversial topics for class discussions. Last month, I read The Handmaid's Tale for the first time and, as you say, it made an impression. Atwood's ORYX AND CRAKE is also a dystopian masterpiece.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-2099985018978301552010-09-30T18:51:24.912-06:002010-09-30T18:51:24.912-06:00Looks like I need to start reviewing some banned b...Looks like I need to start reviewing some banned books! Did you know (well of course you didn't, but I'm about to tell you) I had no idea about banned books (I'm ashamed, yes) and now I'm seeing what made the list and I'm appauled at some of them and their reasonings behind it!<br /><br />Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? was banned because of a NAME! Isn't that nuts?! Just outrageous, especially since that's one of my favorite childrens book!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-26624005407235462202010-09-30T17:38:33.101-06:002010-09-30T17:38:33.101-06:00Great post!! It actually sounds like an interesti...Great post!! It actually sounds like an interesting book. I agree with what you say about letting us make our own choices. My kids aren't allowed to read any of my books. Not for another few years anyhow!Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-69543465911380838582010-09-30T17:24:55.700-06:002010-09-30T17:24:55.700-06:00Banning books only makes people want to read them ...Banning books only makes people want to read them more lol.<br /><br />I have an award for you on my blogLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-30669918597163160352010-09-30T15:40:28.254-06:002010-09-30T15:40:28.254-06:00I loved this book as well. I, too, was shocked at ...I loved this book as well. I, too, was shocked at what is on the list.<br /><br />I couldn't agree with you more. I ready many titles on the classics list in school. I'm grateful my teachers wanted to open our minds. I'm grateful my parents didn't keep us from reading anything. Books rule.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-47790808862664103572010-09-30T15:22:43.911-06:002010-09-30T15:22:43.911-06:00Whenever I read the reason someone cites for banni...Whenever I read the reason someone cites for banning a book, I end up shaking my head. In the case of Handmaid's Tale, for example, the focus of the book isn't the act of sex. It's about women's freedom, including the ability to make basic decisions about their bodies. As hard as this book is to read, it's beautiful because it helps the reader think about those issues (Unless they're prudes, of course).<br />I guess I'm showing my bias, though--people who ban books seem intent on forbidding others to think for themselves. How ironic that so many banned books touch on that subject!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17683706820867800476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-68913259436700659572010-09-30T14:31:55.339-06:002010-09-30T14:31:55.339-06:00Sigh... I just realize how many books I don't ...Sigh... I just realize how many books I don't get to read every time I read one of these banned books reviews. <br /><br />This review made me want to read The Handmaid's Tale. <br /><br />Well written!<br /><br />:-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-27029745533466249422010-09-30T13:27:33.561-06:002010-09-30T13:27:33.561-06:00Wonderful post! I loved and hated The Handmaid...Wonderful post! I loved and hated The Handmaid's Tale. The language was amazing the writing and story was great. I was horrified by the roles people played in it...I told my 14 year old I didn't think she was ready to read it yet... Again...it was written beautifully.Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-90718754681962599782010-09-30T13:18:25.748-06:002010-09-30T13:18:25.748-06:00Well said! This book looks really interesting and....Well said! This book looks really interesting and... well, I haven't read it but now I definitely want too!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096764010151024050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-68220585146107986752010-09-30T13:09:18.325-06:002010-09-30T13:09:18.325-06:00This book came up at our writer's group worksh...This book came up at our writer's group workshop. I read The Handmaid's Tale back in high school, and I don't remember the reason being the 'gratitious sex'. In fact, until I read this review, I had forgotten the sex part about it and only remembered the dystopian part of the story.<br />Banning Margaret Atwood?? Come on, People!Cinettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11453731550912619157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-48845658731145291582010-09-30T11:46:15.490-06:002010-09-30T11:46:15.490-06:00@Colene-- It's worth a read!
@Jennifer- Yes, i...@Colene-- It's worth a read!<br />@Jennifer- Yes, it was!<br />@David-- I'd love to see a movie of it too!<br />@Amy-- It definitely wasn't gratuitous sex at all. In fact, it was quite tastefully done, and there was only one scene I can think of that could be categorized as an actual "sex scene." There is a large focus on sex as it relates to the culture, and with a very good point behind it. I never felt the book was just sex for the sake of sex. It never came across as vulgar or gratuitous to me, which is definitely to Margret Atwood's credit!Shalleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-7296993990782877272010-09-30T11:39:39.176-06:002010-09-30T11:39:39.176-06:00As a Canadian, Margaret Atwood's books were a ...As a Canadian, Margaret Atwood's books were a staple in my education. The Handmaid's Tale made a lasting impression on me; there's still a little haunted piece of it lingering in my psyche. Thanks for reviewing this book Shallee ~ I loved it.<br /><br />And thanks for finding me! Your blog is awesome and I'm looking forward to getting to know you!ali crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13023009704454279645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-60052739855397629102010-09-30T11:03:30.921-06:002010-09-30T11:03:30.921-06:00Amen to your perspective on why there should be no...Amen to your perspective on why there should be no such thing as banned books. :) I agree completely.<br /><br />Wow, The Handmaid's Tale. Really? I read that as a teenager, I think, and I remember sex being a theme, but I don't remember anything gratuitous. Of course, my memory is not very good, but still ... crazy.<br /><br />AmyA.L. Sonnichsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-42112655307011958942010-09-30T10:31:55.352-06:002010-09-30T10:31:55.352-06:00I'm exactly with you on The Giver. I love that...I'm exactly with you on The Giver. I love that book and I keep wondering when Walden Media is going to get around to adapting the thing. I didn't know this was Banned Book Week - such a terrible blogger. I guess The Giver is the only banned book I read and enjoyed (read others, but not a fan). Great post!David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-6570425483039144832010-09-30T10:20:34.878-06:002010-09-30T10:20:34.878-06:00I agree, well said. I loved (and hated) The Handma...I agree, well said. I loved (and hated) The Handmaid's Tale also. Amazing book.Jennifer Hoffinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616744694563644199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-13731961539136627712010-09-30T09:43:51.923-06:002010-09-30T09:43:51.923-06:00Well said. Quick, to the point and oh so very true...Well said. Quick, to the point and oh so very true. I have heard quite a bit about this book too, really interested to read it.Colene Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086195075690893194noreply@blogger.com